On Software Piracy…

I never realised it before, but now I understand that ’software piracy claims’ are basically a load of bunk.

For example… imagine I was using a bootleg copy of Microsoft Office 2007 Professional. The package costs £420. Therefore Microsoft claim they are being robbed of £420. The fact is though, no matter how much I love the MS Office 2007 Pro software, I would never pay such an extortionate price tag. So actually, Microsoft would not be missing out on anything as I would not buy it anyway.

In fact, from my perspective, there are only winners. Hypothetically, with me using the pirated software I am getting a great software package. There is only a small trade-off of guilt, ingrained into me by spurious ‘piracy-is-evil campaigns’. Microsoft is still laughing because I’m perpetuating the use of their proprietary format, which I would not have otherwise done.

Psychological Experiment

Yesterday I volunteered for some psychological experimentation. I always figure it’s worth helping out the research students in their endeavours. (And it’s paid). But boy do they make you do some weird things. One of the ones I had the most trouble with was ‘the happier baby’ test. Essentially, all you have to do is say which baby is happier between two babies… but it’s not an easy job. Both babies are smiling and/or laughing… I found myself looking at some and thinking ‘that baby looks more sarcastic than that baby so… click’.

I got £9 for two hours work. Not bad for fun, games and sarcastic babies.

Hello world!

This is my first blog. I started it, because I have nothing to do. When I do have something to do, don’t expect so much. I’m a student at St Andrews in Scotland. I’m going to try to leave this blog as anonymous as possible so that I can be as honest as possible. If this turns out to be a bad idea, maybe I’ll change my mind. (About the anonymity, not the honesty). On second thoughts, possibly both.